Warren Allen

Chief Executive

Warren is responsible for assisting the XRB Board in the development and execution of the XRB’s strategic goals and annual objectives. He leads the XRB in the achievement of the organisation's mission, strategy and annual objectives. He oversees the XRB's operations, people, policies and processes and provides information and reports to the XRB Board to enable effective governance of the XRB.

Warren was previously a Partner at Ernst & Young for 30 years and recently the President of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), from 2012 to 2014.

He has extensive experience within the accounting and auditing profession both in New Zealand and globally, including large and small clients in both for-profit and public benefit sectors.

He has been previously involved in standard setting of international education standards for the accountancy profession.

Kerrie Cole

Director – Finance and Corporate Services

Kerrie manages the XRB's finances and back office operations. She has an extensive background as a financial director and provider of corporate services.

She was previously Financial Controller and Board Secretary at Kirkcaldie & Stains Limited.

Prior to that Kerrie was General Manager Commercial at Positively Wellington Tourism, where she had responsibility for a variety of front and back office functions.

Sylvia van Dyk

Director – Assurance Standards

Sylvia heads the team that supports the New Zealand Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (NZAuASB) in its role of developing and issuing auditing and assurance standards.

Sylvia was previously Director, Quality Assurance at the Office of the Auditor-General.

She has an extensive auditing background, having worked in both the public and private sectors and having been involved in the audits of large organisations, small and medium enterprises, public entities and not-for-profit entities.

Anthony Heffernan

Director – Accounting Standards

Anthony heads the team supporting the New Zealand Accounting Standards Board (NZASB) in its role of developing and issuing accounting standards.

Anthony has over 15 years of professional accountancy experience, providing audit, internal audit and business advisory services across the for-profit, not-for-profit and public sector.

Prior to joining the XRB, he held senior leadership positions at his predecessor firm providing assurance and technical advisory services, specialising in IPSAS™ and IFRS implementation and interpretation.

Anthony has been the Technical Advisor to the New Zealand Board member on the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) from March 2016.